What archery equipment should I get for my 15 year old daughter?

Jun 29, 2012 1:36 AM

My daughter has been asking for a bow and arrow set since she went to shoot at a state park. How much will this cost me? Can you recommend a low cost start?
She may give it up after the first few days...But she has been asking for 4 months now!

@potter412: Yep, I found two huge 1970's fiber glass bows (these things were like 4 feet tall). I took me a few places but I found someone who would string it for me.

These things took some strength to pull back (it gets easier as you build the muscles required) but it would rip right through any target. You're pretty much on your own with targeting and resting the arrow, but it got the job done. After 9 months I upgraded to a compound bow and the experience and strength I gained with the 1970's ones made me like Green Arrow with the compound bow. I was like jumping from behind bushes and sniping from the roof. Until my wife came out and reminded me I was in my 30's.... the crush of reality :(

I'd recommend a 35 lb longbow or recurve. They are much more reasonably priced than say a compound bow. (They're the ones with training wheels.) 35 lbs is light enough for a teen to use, but will still be powerful enough for even hunting small game.

I'd recommend a 35 lb longbow or recurve. They are much more reasonably priced than say a compound bow. (They're the ones with training wheels.) 35 lbs is light enough for a teen to use, but will still be powerful enough for even hunting small game.

I find bows (especially kids) at yard sales at the time, since it often doesn't stick because they lost interest or just physically grew out of it. If you live in an area where there is yard sales, I'd try that out... look on craigslist etc... I'm a female and have a Hoyt compound from 2005. It cost a pretty penny ($550 bare) but will last me for life. Recurves are great for beginners and perfect for learning too. As woadwarrior stated, 35 lbs should be sufficient for her.

$200 seems a bit high for something she will never hunt with. Target practice only.

Nothing on Craigslist but a 200 compound bow that cost a bit more then new on then on line.
I will expand my search.

My BB gun was a used worn out gun with no power but I loved it. One day I shot a rabbit, the fur moved where I hit it but the bb gun was so under powered the rabbit stayed there. It could not break glass but worked great for paper targets, kept me out of trouble!

@potter412: Yep, I found two huge 1970's fiber glass bows (these things were like 4 feet tall). I took me a few places but I found someone who would string it for me.

These things took some strength to pull back (it gets easier as you build the muscles required) but it would rip right through any target. You're pretty much on your own with targeting and resting the arrow, but it got the job done. After 9 months I upgraded to a compound bow and the experience and strength I gained with the 1970's ones made me like Green Arrow with the compound bow. I was like jumping from behind bushes and sniping from the roof. Until my wife came out and reminded me I was in my 30's.... the crush of reality :(

@woadwarrior: I've got to disagree with you. 35 pounds on a recurve is a lot of draw weight for 15 year old girl who is just starting out.

When I go out target shooting with my daughter, I'm shooting a 28 pound recurve and I think that is more weight than I'd recommend for a beginner. I think 22-25 would be more appropriate. Especially since it is for targets only.

With a young shooter who is just starting out, I think its important to get them a bow they can shoot a bunch without getting sore muscles. I bow they can shoot for a hour straight is going to get a lot more use than a bow that wears them out after 20 shots. Worry about making it fun first. Once they are convinced it is fun and something they want to keep doing, then you worry about upgrading.

@caffeine_dude: I'm a fan of "in-town" shooting. I actually set up an indoor shooting range in my garage for days when we are to lazy to drive 20 minutes to our regular range.

I ran some clothesline across the the back of my garage and hung a doubled over tarp over it for a back drop. Then we just plop one of those big foam targets in front of it. My kid doesn't miss much, but the times she has her arrows have never gone through all the way.

For good inexpensive recurves, check out Samick bows. A Samick Polaris is a nice little recurve and a new one can be had for a little over $100.

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